I Vol. LXII January — December 1985 Nos. 1-4 * Sbumat of tbt ©ntonofCeplon i "Eendracht maakl Macht'*! CON TE N TS Page; 1. Editor's Note 1 12. Translation of Francois Valentijn's Description of Ceylon (Chapter 17) by S. A. W. Mottau 3 3. The Portuguese Burghers and the Dutch Burghers of Sri Lanka — by Percy Colin - Thome' 169 4. Two Poems by George Keyt. .218 Printed at Tisara Press, 135 Dutugemunu Street, Dehiwala Journal of the Dutch Burgher VOL. LXII JANUARY— DECEMBER 1985 EDITOR'S NOTE On first June 1985, Sri Lanka lost a truly cultured and noble son, one of her brilliant scholars and teachers of English Literature - EVELYN FREDERICK CHARLES LUDOWYK. " Bom on 16th October 1906, he received his early education at Richmond College Galle and entered the Ceylon University College (affiliated to London University) in 1925 where he received First Class Honours in English and won a Scholar­ ship to Cambridge in 1929. At Cambridge he obtained a First Class in the English Tripos and also won the coveted Oidham Shakespeare Prize - the First Asian to do so. Returning to the land of his birth, he was appointed Lecturer in English in 1932 and became Professor of English in 1936 at the early age of thirty- He was elected Dean of the Faculty of Arts in 1940., the first Ceylonese to hold this high office. On his retirement in 1956 he was appointed Professor Emeritus of English. Lyn Ludowyk was a brilliant scholar and teacher of English Literature and he imparted his knowledge to his students with devotion and insight maintaining extremely high standards of teaching. In essence, he was a towering figure in our intellectual landscape but always remained a modest and unassuming personality. He had the gift of being able to immerse himself in his work while possessing the objectivity and the knowledge lo stand aside and reveal its depths and facets to others. He was a model of a litterateur, cultured, warm-hearted, yet simple and gracious. A man of noble character, his passing has created a vacuum difficult to fill. Lyn. Ludowyk's contribution to the Theatre should not go un-noticed, or unmentioned as it was as important as his leaching career at the University. He was" always interested 892 THE JOURNAL OF THE TRANSLATION OF FRANCOIS VALENTIJN'S in drama and was a member of the Marlowe Society at DESCRIPTION OF CEYLON (Chapter 17) * Cambridge. He was easily the ablest interpreter of any dramatist he chose to discuss or bring to the theatre and to By S. A. W. Mottau hear him explain a scene or character in a play made one marvel at his instinctive creative knowledge as well as his p. 409 The Christian religion in Ceylon. The Roman (Catholic) academic knowledge. religion. Xavier's services here, Anno. 1542. Who also converted those of the island of Mannar. The events that took place His important contribution to the University Dramatic between the two parties. Proclamation against the Romish Society had an educating and civilizing influence which is even Priests, The Reformed religion in Ceylon. Th Predikants who evident today. He set a high standard in production and in served here from 1642 to 1658 A. D. Disputes (or differences) his selection of plays he made it possible for local audiences in Ceylon. A Proclamation dated 1659 A. D. regarding the to become acquainted with Classical Plays of the West and the introduction of the Dutch Language. Observations thereover. East. Remonstrance of the Rev. Mr. Manteau, regarding the learning While Professor Ludowyk's name is widely associated with of a foreign language. Predikants (who served) from 1660 to his contribution to the English Theatre his connection with 1664 A. D. They rarely occupied seat of the Political Commi­ the Sinhala Theatre was a brief but significant one. One ssioner here. Instruction of 1667 A. D. issued to the Church reason that people tend to overlook. Professor Ludowyk's Consistory. The Rev. Mr. Burenius, 1667 A. D. Result of the contribution to the Sinhala Theatre is that his reputation in inquiry regarding the aforementioned seat (table). The Predikants the English Theatre overshadowed everything else. The fact who served from 1667 to 1668 A. D. Classis held in Ceylon that he was Professor of English, a Dutch Burgher by descent in 1668 A. D. The Predikants who served from 1668 to 1704 it was difficult to believe that it was possible for him to A. D. Resolution of the Lords Seventeen concerning six produce a Sinhala play. But he had the mental adaptability, Proponents and the printing of the Rev. Mr. Ruel's Grammar, cosmopolitan values and linguistic knowledge having studied observations regarding the measures for remedying the decline classical Sinhala for a time. In his own words "it is worth of the Churches and Schools. Special observations of the keeping the lines open for internationalism. After all that is, Rev. Mr. Synjeu thereon. Instructions for the Scholarchen. by definition, one of the functions of the University .." Church order. Report of an inspection of the schools and We truly moan the loss of such an eminent personality and our sincere sympathies go to his wife Edith and his •*■ The previous number of the journal of the Dutch relations. We thank God for his life and work and for the Burgher Union (Vol. LXI-Jan-Dec, 1983) contains a trans­ enduring and valuable knowledge he has left behind for future lation by S. A. W. Mottau of Chapter 16 of Valentijn's generations. Description of Ceylon. Chapter 16 deals with Buddhism, Hinduism and to a lesser extent Mohamedism. Chapter 17 deals with Roman Catholicism and the Dutch Reformed Church and their activities in Ceylon towards the latter part of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century. This is probably the first time that Chapter 17 has been translated into English. For a /biographical note on Valentijn see Journal of the Dutch Burgher Union Vol. LX1, Jan. - Dec. 1983, pages 8-10. DUTCH BURGHER UNION S sSESSmg §4 THE JOURNAL Of THE A. D. The Rev. Mr. Synjeu is appointed Rector of the se- m.narym 1705 A, D. His zeal in this work in 1709 etc. churches etc. Letter addressed to the Hon. Mr. Simons there­ The consequent state of these churches, and observations thereon. over. Mr. Bolscho's report on the schools and Churches. List of the Predikants of Galle. The Predikants of Negombo Observations regarding the seminarians at Jaffna. Further and Matara. The Predikants of Jaffna and Colombo. observations regarding the Seminary, etc. Further report for the Commencement and progress of the Seminary. Letter of the Rev. Mr. Synjeu to the Hon. Mr. Simons regarding the four Tamil Seminarians who were examined by him etc. Second letter of the Rev. Mr. Synjeu, over the question whether a Rector of a Seminary should learn the Tamil or the Sinhalese Language. The Rev. Mr. Ruel's large Catechism is rejected. Brief account of matters studied by the students. Persons employed for the work of the schools and the Seminary. Predikants who served from 1706 to 1772 A. D. State of the Ceylon Churches in 1681 A. D. Request by Raja Singa for a heathen temple in our territories referred to the Church Consistory in Colombo is refused. Establishment of the Tamil Seminary in 1690 A. D. The Rev. Mr. Cat's zeal in the same by the compilation of several works. The Rev. Mr. de Mey appointed first Rector of the Seminary in 1692 A. D. The Rev. Mr. Cat translated the Old Testament in both languages in 1694 A. D., and in the same year he also began to trans­ late the New Testament. The Rev. Mr. de Vriest appointed Superintendent of the Tamil Seminary at Jaffna in 1695 A. D. The Rev. Mr. Ruel preached in Portuguese and learnt Sinhalese in 1695 A. D. The Rev. Mr. Cat still busy compiling his Dictionary in 1697 A. D. The Sinhalese Seminary began to function in 1696 A. D. The Rev. Mr. Ruel appointed Rector of the same in 1698 A. D. Differences between the Rev. Messrs. Ruel and Cat. The Rev. Mr. Ruel's further works in 1699 A. D. Death of The Rev. Mr. de Mey in 1699 A. D- after having made some pupiis proficient in preaching. They also lost the services of six Predikants. The Sinhalese Semi­ nary is abolished in 1699 A. D. The Rev. Mr. Ruel's further proofs of diligence. The Rev. Mr. Oude and the Rev. Mr. de Vriest Rectors in 1700 and 1701 A. D. respectively. But he (the Rev. Mr. Oude) goes to Batavia and the Rev. Mr. de Vriest is again Rector in 1701 A. D. Poor state of the Tamil Seminary. The Rev. Mr. Ruel dies in 1701 A. D. the great loss by his death. The Sinhalese. Seminary is revived in 1704 13B 6 THE JOURNAL OF THE «E Vanuatu* DUTCH BURGHER UNION 7!lt THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION IN CEYLON, were no comparison to those who were converted PRIMARILY THE ROMAN by Xavier, so the Portuguese say. After he had already done the necessary CATHOLIC RELIGION work on the Coast of Madura, he left for Tutucorin p. 410 (I). and there baptised a pregnant woman who was The Chris­ unable to give >birth, but she miraculously delivered The Christian religion practised here from for­ tian religi­ her child immediately after he baptised her, where­ on in mer times either the Roman Catholic Religion or after be baptised not only her .child and her family Ceylon.